Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Ahead of Mississippi State’s season opener this Saturday [Sept. 5] against the Warhawks of University of Louisiana Monroe, the university is reminding football fans about safety precautions and other campus updates. With a 6:30 p.m. kickoff in Davis Wade Stadium, gates open two hours before the game.
The Junction is MSU’s premier gameday tailgating area and one of the most iconic in the Southeastern Conference. Changes to MSU tailgating structures and regulations made in 2025 to optimize fan and family safety continue for the 2026 season, with an exclusive MSU student tailgating area in the Amphitheater and Southern Tradition Tailgating in The Junction. Public areas are in front of Barnes & Noble or the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building, among other areas, on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the continued renovation of Dorman Hall, the tailgating area between Dorman Hall and Creelman Street will not be available.
“We’re excited about the 2026 football season and look forward to another outstanding tailgating experience for our Bulldog family,” said MSU Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter, who leads the university’s Game Day Committee. “The university’s leadership has taken additional steps this year to ensure our gameday fan experience is safe, secure, and responsive to our patrons and guests. We strive each year to make The Junction and the rest of our campus the epicenter of great weekends in Starkville and the Golden Triangle.”
Students should make sure personal tents or supplies are placed to the south of the sidewalk in the Amphitheater and not on the stage. An MSU Police Tent will be set-up at the top of the Amphitheater hill for gameday assistance. You must follow all general tailgating guidelines as well as the MSU Student Code of Conduct.
All tailgating areas will open at 4 p.m. the day before a game. (Exception: There may be conflicts if Friday night concerts are hosted but students will be notified of any other exceptions).
Fans can visit hailstate.com/gameday for the most current gameday information, and up-to-the-minute transportation details will be available at transportation.msstate.edu/gameday.
Gameday parking on campus is reserved for Bulldog Club members or is available for purchase using a debit or credit card. Multiple roads close on campus on gamedays with most roads only being accessible by those with a valid reserved or paid gameday permit. ESPNU is broadcasting the MSU-ULM contest.
Eateries for Saturday
Perry Food Hall
1921 Café 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; 5-8 p.m.
Beet Drop: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bark: 8:30-10:30 a.m.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Starbucks: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
State Fountain Bakery: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Subway: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Azalea Hall
State Slice: 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
Maroon Market: 24 Hours
Colvard Student Union
Chick-Fil-A: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Panda Express: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Union POD: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
C-Stores
Hathorn: 5-9 p.m.
Wise Center: 24 Hours
Griffis: 24 Hours
Basic first aid is available at the MSU Police tents set up in The Junction.
Tickets are available for the game and can be purchased now at HailState.com/tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office, first floor, Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive), Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The ticket office on the north side of Davis Wade Stadium also opens three hours before kickoff.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.